Lions Discuss Plate Full Of Items At Luncheon

GRAPELAND - The Grapeland Noon Lions Club met on Thursday, Feb. 2 with a wide variety of topics set for discussion.

President Ben Childress extended a special welcome to guest speaker, Erin Ford. Ford is a candidate for the position of Houston County Judge. With an electrical engineering degree from Texas A&M, Ford has spent the majority of his working life in the oil and gas industry.

“I’m from East Texas. I’m from Silsbee, born and raised there. I really wanted to stay there and be a part of that hometown, but I couldn’t because there were no jobs in that area. As a result, I’m very sensitive to the issue of jobs in Houston County,” he said. “Houston County is a special place to us. We (he and his wife of 33 years, Geneva) chose Houston County back in 1985 as where we wanted to live. The true, real reason that I’m running for this position is that I want to do what I can to help Houston County. I am an engineer by trade and I don’t make comments or assertions that I can not back up. I can’t guarantee that electing me as Houston County judge is going to benefit the county anymore than it already is today. But I can tell you that I will dedicate myself and my efforts to Houston County.

“The issues that are close to me are not just jobs but bringing in businesses that will bring jobs to the county,” he continued. “My 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry focuses me on that. There are things the oil companies need in terms of service providers that can be in any location. The point is to get that in the context that oil and gas companies can use. For example, Exxon and Chevron are building campuses just north of Houston. It is just within the 100 mile radius for Houston County. This means that conceivably, people who work in this industry could want a quiet place to live. Not as retirees but as active members in the community. They may be looking at Houston County as a place to live. Another area that I have been looking at, along with Congressman (Joe) Barton’s office is e-recycling. Not general scrap, but electronic devices. This is an area that requires skilled labor,” he said.

Using his cell phone as an example, Ford said each device has recoverable gold and other components that can be recycled and used in new products. He also expressed his desire to re-establish an economic development corporation that would be of benefit to the entire county.

After Ford’s presentation, State Rep. Marva Beck announced she and her District Director Nancy Hendryx had such an enjoyable time at the last Grapeland Noon Lions’ Club meeting they attended, they had filled out applications and would like to join the Grapeland club.

Hendryx had been a charter member of the Lions Club in Centerville that had recently disbanded. Both Beck and Hendryx were unanimously accepted into the club. Joining the duo from Centerville, Sandra Woolsey was also unanimously approved for membership in the club.

Frank Chapman addressed club members concerning the upcoming golf tournament sponsored by the Lions. The 21st annual tournament is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of May 19. “First of all, I would like to say the last two or three years we have had some great participation,” Chapman said. “Members have helped out and made it a lot bigger and a lot better. Last year we were able to get a lot of new sponsors and grow the tournament. What we want to do this year is get more players. Our sponsorships have gone up but the number of players, well we’re still not getting what we want. Several years ago we had 19 teams. We had one on every hole and one that was staggered. I would like to see us get back to that.”

In other Lions Club matters:

• discussions about helping with the Lions Camp cleanup were held; and

• the possibility of establishing a scholarship fund was discussed at length and a committee was formed to explore the idea.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at wjohnson@messenger-news.com